EC develop comprehensive system to counter fake news ahead of 2020 elections

The Electoral Commission is developing a comprehensive system to ward off the issue of fake news ahead of the 2020 elections.

The road map comes after much reports about the creeping challenge of fake news in the Ghanaian media space.

The phenomenon  has become a debacle we must begin to confront, especially coming at a time people are now faking videos, which almost look real with the necessary algorisms and photos infused into a video about things that are not entirely the truth.

Speaking on the issue at the 2019 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA), Madam Jean Mensa revealed that the commission has had its own share of fake news report.

She said on a weekly basis, the EC battles fake news that seeks to undermine the integrity of the Commissioners.

“We’ve had our own share of fake news and it’s been a baptism of fire. You find that on a weekly basis, fake news is being released to undermine our work and our processes, ” she expressed worriedly.

Commenting on the approach they use to avert fake news in time, the EC boss said they go out in a timely manner before the news gets to the public first.

“The Commission always try to be ahead of fake news on all our processes. ”

She believes a team having a team in place to rapidly respond to fake news will enhance the credibility of the news during the 2020 polls.

The WAMECA conference which forms part of the two-day event was on the theme ‘Social Media, Fake News and Elections in Africa.’